Japhet, in Search of a Father eBook

“It was not altogether to stimulate Mr Harcourt
to bring you back, which induced me to refuse to answer
his question, Japhet. I considered that your
return had rendered it necessary that it should be
deferred until I saw you. I have not forgotten,
Japhet, and never shall forget, what I was when you
rescued me; and when I think what I might have been
had you not saved me, I shudder at the bare idea.
I have not forgotten how you risked, and nearly lost
your life in Ireland for my sake—­neither
has my mother. We are beholden to you for all
our present happiness, and I am eternally indebted
to you for rescuing me from ignorance, poverty, and,
perhaps, vice. You have been more, much more
than a father to me—­more, much more than
a brother. I am, as it were, a creature of your
own fashioning, and I owe to you that which I never
can repay. When, then, you returned so unexpectedly,
Japhet, I felt that you had a paramount right in my
disposal, and I was glad that I had not replied to
Mr Harcourt, as I wished first for your sanction and
approval. I know all that has passed between
you, but I know not your real feelings towards Mr Harcourt;
he acknowledges that he treated you very ill, and
it was his sincere repentance of having so done, and
his praise of you, which first won my favour.
And now, Japhet, if you have still animosity against
Mr Harcourt—­if you—­”

“Stop, my dear Fleta, I will answer all your
questions at once.” I took Harcourt’s
hand, and placed it in her’s. “May
God bless you both, and may you be happy!”

Cecilia threw her arms round me and wept; so did everybody
else, I believe. It was lucky for Harcourt that
I was in love with Susannah Temple. As soon as
Cecilia had recovered a little, I kissed her, and
passed her over to her right owner, who led her to
the sofa. Lady de Clare and I went out of the
room on important business, and did not return for
a quarter of an hour. When we returned, Cecilia
went to her mother and embraced her, while Harcourt
silently squeezed my hand. We then all sat down,
and I gave them an account of all that had passed
during my second excursion—­how I had nearly
been hanged—­how I had gone mad—­how
I had turned Quaker and apothecary—­which
they all agreed, with what had happened to me before,
made up a very eventful history.

“And, Japhet, if it be a fair question about
one so fair, was that Miss Temple who was at church
with you yesterday?”

“It was.”

“Then, Cecilia, if ever she appears in the same
circle, except in my eyes, your beauty will stand
in some danger of being eclipsed.”

“How can you say, except in your eyes, Mr Harcourt,”
replied Cecilia, “the very observation proves
that it is eclipsed in your eyes, whatever it may
be in those of others. Now, as a punishment, I
have a great mind to order you away again, until you
bring her face to face, that I may judge myself.”

“If I am again banished,” replied Harcourt,
“I shall have a second time to appeal to De
Benyon to be able to come back again. He can produce
her, I have no doubt.”